Zambia’s Constitution Needs Revamp to Empower Citizens, Says Expert
A Zambian legal expert, Dr. O’Brien Kaaba, is urging his country to completely rethink its approach to the constitution. He argues that the current laws, established during colonial times, actually restrict citizens instead of empowering them.
Dr. Kaaba participated in a webinar on creating a lasting constitution for Zambia. The discussion, titled “Exploring Practical Steps for Zambia to Achieve a Durable Constitution,” featured other prominent figures like Professor Muna Ndulo and Linda Kasonde.
According to Dr. Kaaba, the focus of Zambian law should be on giving citizens more power, not taking it away.
He believes past attempts to reform the constitution failed because the process itself was flawed and didn’t involve enough participation from the Zambian people.
To create a successful constitution, Dr. Kaaba suggests a well-designed process that reflects the country’s diverse population and includes qualified legal experts. The resulting document should be a tool for positive change, outlining a vision for Zambia’s future.
Dr. Kaaba also highlighted the need for a built-in system to resolve any disputes that arise during the constitution-making process. He argues that relying on traditional courts for these disputes is ineffective.
A time limit and clear leadership from legal professionals are also crucial for a successful process, according to Dr. Kaaba.
He emphasizes that simply fixing current problems in the constitution won’t solve the underlying issues. Instead, Zambia needs to address the structural problems within the system itself.
Finally, Dr. Kaaba stressed the importance of writing the constitution in clear and simple language. This will ensure that everyday citizens can understand the document and utilize it effectively.
